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Top tips for YOUR next job interview!

While, steering away from your weaknesses and focusing on your strengths may well put you at an advantage, your optimism and willingness to handle new responsibilities is what recruiters will like the most about you.

A job interview generally freaks us out.

How you perform in the interview decides whether you get the job or not. Sometimes, inspite of all the technical and educational skills you have in your favour, you do not get the job.

Simply because you could not manage the interview well.

Here are some common tips which if followed can help you land that dream job.

1. Never lie in a job interview

Although it looks extremely flattering and easy to lie, you must avoid lying in a job interview.

Give honest and truthful replies even if they are embarrassing.

For instance, if you have failed in a class and you are asked about it, you must be honest in your answer and handling such questions.

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2. Never blame others

If you have had a lot of job changes, be prepared to face questions like 'Why did you leave your last job?' and 'Why so many jobs?' in the interview.

In such instances, never blame your boss or your past jobs.

You must never show to the employer that you are incapable of taking responsibilities of your failures or inefficiencies.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

3. Show optimism

You must always try and give positive responses in the interview.

For instance, your answers about job change will demonstrate how it will be to work with you.

You may try saying something like, 'I like to learn variety of things as it helps me understand organisational functions.'

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

3. Don't be rude or overtly friendly

You must always try to be professional throughout your interview.

Never crack jokes on sensitive topics.

Try not to be rude on any issue.

If you are accidentally rude during the interview, apologise immediately and carry on with the rest of the interview genuinely.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

5. Be yourself

Appearing too nervous or too confident in an interview can both prove to be hazardous for you.

Studies show that the decision to hire a person is generally made in the first few minutes of the interview.

Hence, your first impression, in most of the cases, is the last impression. If you appear to be too nervous, it puts a question mark on your abilities to do the job and if you are too confident, it questions your ability to work in a team.

You must try to appear normal and flexible enough in a job interview.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

6. Do your homework and be prepared for the interview

Be prepared for the interview and probable questions.

Do read your CV carefully and know how you will prove to be a strength for the organisation.

Always remember to carry all the relevant documents along with you. Also do a complete research about the company and its operations.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

7. Market yourself

A job interview is a platform to market yourself by showcasing your strengths.

It is an opportunity for you to prove to the employer that you have right skills, experience and background to fit in the culture and needs of the organisation.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

8. Don't mention people you can't have a rapport with

Never mention about the people you don't gel well with.

If you find it difficult to get along with a certain type of people, you must never mention it in your job interview.

It will be held against you in the later stages of selection.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

9. Show you can manage conflicts

You might face a common question like: How will you deal with a conflict situation.

A branch of this question will also be: How will you resolve the situation without affecting your relationship with your colleague/manager?

As mentioned earlier, do not blame others for the problems. If you accidently break the rule, you must give valid reasons for your disliking and ensure that you do not leave an impression that you can't work in a team.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

10. Make a strong first impression

If your first impression is good, then in most of the cases, the interviewer overlooks your further mistakes.

Watch out for your body language -- how you enter the room, how you sit and present yourself creates an impact on the interviewer.

If you are able to cruise through this drill with confidence, it will help you carve your first impression.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

11. Overcome fear of rejection

One of the biggest reasons that stimulates the fear of interviews is the fear of rejection.

The only way you can overcome this fear is with a positive attitude and self-confidence.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier

12. Be flexible

Flexibility is a very important parameter.

An interviewer will always judge you on the basis of your capability of accepting changes and adjusting to the changes in your environment.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

13. Negotiate reasonable salary

Never ask for an unreasonable salary.

This shows your lack of interest in the job and your greed for money. Do your homework well before the interview and find out what are people in your profile getting as remuneration.

Also check what the industry standards are.

At the same time, if you feel that you deserve the salary you seek, lap it up with reasons why.

14. Be clear about your preferences

Be sure about your preferences in a job.

You must evaluate whether the job requirements matches with your preferences.

During the interview stage you must enquire about the job profile and then decide whether you fit in or not.

You have to be aware of the demands of the organisation. This will help you decide the course of your interview.

Never promise something you cannot deliver. For instance, do not agree that you will work in night shifts or on holidays if you can't actually do so.

Keep these pointers in mind for your next interview. All the best!